In this episode, we dive into the practical and somewhat pragmatic approach to marriage, emphasizing the importance of considering how a relationship might end before it even begins. Julie Potts, drawing from experiences in both criminal and family law, reflects on how people often show their best selves during dating and engagement but may reveal more challenging personality traits during difficult times in a marriage.
We also discuss how people entering into marriage should watch for red flags and consider potential difficulties in future divorce scenarios, including issues like substance abuse, anger, and severe mental health problems. Julie educates on a realistic approach to marriage, where one acknowledges the potential for future problems and evaluates their partner’s worst behaviors critically.
We would be remiss to not mention the societal perceptions of marriage, particularly the stigma around considering divorce preemptively or setting up prenuptial agreements. We believe this stigma is attributed to fairy-tale narratives that paint an overly rosy picture of marriage, which does not always align with the statistical reality that many marriages do not last.
Overall, the episode champions a more informed and cautious approach to marriage, advocating for individuals to think deeply about their partner’s characteristics and behaviors, not just during the highs but importantly, how they handle lows, as a fundamental component of deciding to marry.
Listen to Lawfully Ever After here: